Congress Spoiling Ballari’s Image by Raking up Mining Scam: Modi

File image of Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Bengaluru.

(Photo: PTI)

Even though Janardhana Reddy, a prime accused in the illegal mining scam, continued to campaign for the BJP less than 50km away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, attacked the Congress government of using the scam to defame the people of Ballari.

Modi was addressing a rally in Ballari, which was the epicentre of a Rs 35,000 crore illegal iron-ore mining scam. On a dais, shared by Janardhana Reddy’s younger brother Somshekara Reddy and close associate Sri Ramalu, Modi called out the Congress government for allegedly giving tickets to politicians, who were booked for illegal mining.

The two former BJP ministers who were booked in scam – BS Yeddyurappa and Gali Janardhan Reddy – stayed away from the location of the rally.

Claiming Karnataka has a ‘Sidda-Rupaiya” Sarkar, he said:

A leader of the Congress party is booked in the mining scam and gave his resignation. And those who were sent to jail for mining scam, have been given tickets by this Rupayia Sarkar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

He further added that the Congress government was projecting Ballari as a city of thieves and robbers.

This is an insult to Ballari. This is an insult to the people of Ballari. Won’t you punish those who are putting Ballari in bad light?

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah later reacted to PM Modi’s comments. He said that the BJP’s candidate himself is the brother of mining mafia kingpin G Janardhana Reddy who brought shame to Ballari.

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